Q45 for Rando Rides?
- Thread starter Fullcount
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kizarmynot
Well-Known Member
It may come down to comfort more than weight. You’ll find various discussions of recumbutt that is likely due to seat angle. If you’ve already been riding long distances then it should work. As for the weight question I’m sure there are plenty of opinions/thoughts in this forum.
Fullcount
Member
I am new to this bike and the Cruzbike world. I have about 75 miles in now and liking how it feels. I only had instance with reccumbutt years ago on a Tour Easy, so I know how it feels. Not getting an indication that this will manifest itself on this bike. I guess I will know as I get more saddle time in. Thank you.
kizarmynot
Well-Known Member
Good luck! I posted about my experience around this time last year. In short, I did a 2 week tour, was fine early on but by the end I was experiencing significant RB after about 15 minutes. It’s also clear in the forum that some folks are not affected.
I recently did a longer multi-day ride. I started on the thicker stock seat pad and did 80 miles. I had recurrent episodes of RB and my rump was sore that night. I changed to the Ventisit pad and did the remaining 340+ miles with no pain at all. Correlation, not causation but made me a believer. I believe the reason some experience the pain and others do not is at least partially due to the variation in our anatomy. Though generally the same, the nerves, vessels, bones and muscles may be in slightly different positions in relation to each other.
Fullcount
Member
I read that post about your trip. I was kind of surprised that RB showed up. Thank you for your detail about your bike setup. I do not plan to tour on this bike, but rather some 100, 200 and possibly a 300 K ride. Immediate goal is to ride the Psycho 48 in NC this October and try to do a P12 starting next year.
IyhelM
Létrange MBB
One major factor is leg length and X-seam as changing the boom length changes the BB height, the hip angle and thus the way one supports their weight.
Fullcount
Member
Fullcount
Member
Anyone riding with a frame bag from a DF bike? Was thinking this would be a good place to store a battery for lights, Garmin, phone, etc. I attached this last night and will ride with it today to see if it affects the steering. Just light weight things in it now, but I will add the battery to see how this affects things. This is the Revelate Designs bag that was used on my Trek 520 years ago. I am still using the Arkel Rando bag on top of the rack for heavier items (tool kit, spare tube, etc.). 
Looks stock to me .
Fullcount
Member
Eh, frame bag is a possibility, but not now for me at this juncture of my learning curve. I do feel the weight, especially with the battery in the bag. Makes me have to think about steering again. I took it off and will ride with the Arkel bag for now. Got in a 15 mile ride this evening. Absolutely no signs of RB. Only discomfort I might foresee is the middle of the back where the top of the seat digs in. Really hate to have to put in an order for a Thor seat, but this looks like it is in order before too long.
woodguy
Well-Known Member
Your original question was about rando rides, and that’s not my thing, so I didn’t respond. The thread has expanded to recumbutt, possibility of a Thor seat, and storage on a Q45. About 3 months after I got my Q45 in 2018, I did a weeklong tour of 55 miles per day & did experience recumbutt on the stock seat. I then put on a Thor & have done multiple tours with no more problems, but the longest single day ride I have ever done is about 120 miles. I would say don’t buy the Thor unless you have problems. Some folks never do.
Regarding storage, I keep my tools etc in a Cruzbike Sling Pack that velcro‘s right to the bottom of the frame. I have a bigger bag on the rear rack for other storage. On my front boom I have a 40oz water bottle with a drink tube. Never have to reach for a water bottle. It doesn’t affect the steering & is out of the way enough for pedaling. Here is a picture of my setup:
Regarding storage, I keep my tools etc in a Cruzbike Sling Pack that velcro‘s right to the bottom of the frame. I have a bigger bag on the rear rack for other storage. On my front boom I have a 40oz water bottle with a drink tube. Never have to reach for a water bottle. It doesn’t affect the steering & is out of the way enough for pedaling. Here is a picture of my setup:
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Fullcount
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The reason I was mentioning storage and the battery is because of device management on a long ride. For a 100K ride, not really too much of a challenge, but a 200 or 300K ride can put a strain on your phone, light batteries & Garmin. I have the extended battery for my Garmin but have never really tested this out. The rear light is a Bike Spark and that charge lasts about 72 hours - amazing light that I do not have to worry about. Doing a Rando ride that extends into the evening hours (300K or longer), you either have to have a dynamo to power your headlight or multiple lights to get you through the evening that run off of battery (or carry a battery with a cord attached). My 20,000 mAmp battery has plenty of juice to keep the phone charged and simultaneously, power any lights that need to burn throughout the night. Just need to figure out where to carry this battery as it is heavy. Maybe that sling bag that you showed on your setup. I do like your setup for water and the tube. Water is also heavy and an absolute need on a long ride. I have gotten better at reaching behind me to access my water bottle, but having a tube right there, would enhance my frequency of drinking (which has always been a problem for me - I just forget to drink). Having that tube staring you in the face will automatically make you drink more often, at least in my case. My original question on the Q45 is still valid for Rando rides. I know it is heavier than the S40, but I chose the Q45 as some of these routes incorporate gravel for a short distance and I wanted something that would handle this type of terrain. Also, realizing the lighter the better will help me on those final hours. My last two 200K rides (128 miles) were on DF bikes. I have never taken a recumbent on a long ride like that, but I want to build myself up for this type of riding. The Surly LHT was heavy and I struggled towards the end. My second was on a Trek Domane. A lighter bike which proved better towards the end. My goal is to get up to a 300K and ride a 24 hour ride like the Pyscho 48 that is scheduled for October. I am betting that the comfort of the Q45 will extend my enjoyment, just trying to manage the weight issue. I have considered taking off the rear rack, but not sure if that is possible as that is where my rear lights & Garman Varia are mounted presently.
IyhelM
Létrange MBB
I rode my first 200 km on a 25 kg Azub trike. Not the best choice yet manageable, so I think you’ll be alright on a Q, it’s barely 2 kg heavier than a S and while a S40 with wide tires could handle most gravel paths without any problem, the added comfort of the suspension is not to be underestimated.
Regarding the best place for a battery, obviously the lower the best so I’d put it in a sling back under the frame. Personally I use a dynamo hub but I carry a backup 10 A.h battery (400 g) in frame bags under the seat.
Surely you can find adaptors (maybe at terracycle) to mount your light and varia directly on the seat.
I would dismantle the rack for brevets or similar rides and use a tailbag directly attached to the seat or frame bags under the seat.
Regarding the best place for a battery, obviously the lower the best so I’d put it in a sling back under the frame. Personally I use a dynamo hub but I carry a backup 10 A.h battery (400 g) in frame bags under the seat.
Surely you can find adaptors (maybe at terracycle) to mount your light and varia directly on the seat.
I would dismantle the rack for brevets or similar rides and use a tailbag directly attached to the seat or frame bags under the seat.
RayB
Member
I purchased this for the front triangle of my s40 after seeing it on another s40. Not had a chance to use it a whole lot yet but happy with the purchase.
